Ashley Nicole Richards, 25, pleaded guilty earlier this month to four counts of creating animal crush videos and one film distribution charge. On Thursday, U.S. District Judge Sim Lake sentenced her to three years and nine months, and credited her for having served that time already in state custody.

Richards' attorney, Joyce A. Raynor, said Richards was a homeless 16-year-old with a history of sexual abuse when her co-defendant, Brent Justice, who is 30 years her senior, took her into his home and persuaded her to make the videos. They met in an online chat room.

Before sentencing, Richards apologized to the court and the state of Texas for her actions.

"I was 16 and didn't have anyone to turn to. I was basically looking for a family who would care or have some type of affection for me, and I found that in the wrong way," she said.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Sherri Zack told the judge Richards appeared to be enjoying herself in the videos, and she made thousands of dollars from sales.

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals brought the videos to the attention of the Houston Police Department's animal cruelty unit, which helped state and federal prosecutors with their investigation.

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In the videos, Richards wears minimal clothing as she stabs various animals, chops off their limbs and performs other actions while making sexual comments.

In one video seized by the animal cruelty unit, she can be seen puncturing a cat's eye with a shoe heel.

Earlier this month, Justice, 54, who made the videos, was sentenced in state court to 50 years for animal cruelty. His federal charges are pending.

If he opts for a trial, Richards said in her plea deal she would testify against him.